While motoring around in North Georgia Mountains I spotted this cloud formation that was quite lovely!
I popped my head through the sunroof and quickly snapped these two photos before the clouds drifted away. Can you spot the bright heart formation in the photos or is it just me and my dreamy nature? Life is sure good in the North Georgia Mountains, oh yeah!

Can you see it?...it's dead center in the above photo.

In this photo the heart shaped cloud drifted to the left.
This how the clouds & skyline really look here in beautiful Georgia...no image adjustments in the photos.
I was contacted by Bill Weidmann of Atlanta's award winning Weidmann Remodeling & Renovation to inquire about staging some 'after' photos for their portfolio.
While quality materials and superb craftsmanship are the bones of a room, it's the finishing details that give it a warm & fuzzy feeling in person and in photos.
I was thrilled to say the least because I was well aware of this company's solid reputation. Then to be working with professional photographer Jan Stittleburg (located in Atlanta) was the icing on the cake. Ooh... I'd hope to sneak-a-peek through her lens, think she'll let me? Just maybe I'll be able to pick up some useful tips like how not to get my hand or derriere in the shot! Ooh-la-la indeed!
After I asked for some construction photos (pictured below) I delved into my stash, & packed up the truck. I was really looking forward to staging the photos for this Remodeler's portfolio.

Now on this particular job I was not to hide all the beautiful finishes and craftsmanship that was put into this job with accessories. Restraint was the name of the game here. This tile had three different finishes and was gorgeous! After all, this is what the Remodeler wanted to highlight, the craftsmanship! I was there to enhance the photos with a little warmth. No art was to be hung on the owner's new walls.



The above two single photos and the detail collage were photographed by the talented Jan Stittleburg. And yes, she did let me peek through the lens. I can't wait to work with her & learn more from this talented lady!

Well the above photo collage of close up details are my doing, sigh...I need to sneak more peeks into a professional photographer's lens.
Well at the end of the photo shoot Weidmann's Remodeling & Renovation's client was thrilled too, she thanked me for all the great ideas, a win-win for all involved!
Weidmann Remodeling ~ 770.552.8396
Jan Stittleburg Photography ~ 770.931.8170
Yeah, I drive my husband crazy with "Hey take that turn!" right after we've passed a sign.
And driving him even crazier with "Turn right...no the the other right!" Luckily he understands my non-directional brain and laughs it off... well most of the time.

Will Cyn ever learn her left from her right in my lifetime?
We were just motoring around in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains at the end of our goof-off day and I spotted the Tallulah Gorge State Park sign in Habersham County, Georgia. Even though it was at the end of our road-trip, my Ted pulled a U-ey and we went back to check it out.

Whoa now... did the sign read 'Gorge' and did I mention I'm kinda afraid of heights?
Below are a few photos I took from the top of the 1,000 ft. Tallulah Gorge. Spectacular doesn't even come close to describing the view. The trail we took was made of recycled rubber and it's extremely easy on the knee, hip and foot joints! Nice :)
There's a visitor's center with great information about the history, wildlife, and surrounding area of Tallulah Falls and Gorge. Inside the center you will find informative attendants that will help you determine which trails are best suited to hike concerning your ability and health status. People of all ages were on the trail!



These magnificent granite walls form some pretty steep cliffs!
What a serene feeling you get taking in natures wonders on this perfect day.


Ahhh..life is good here in the North Georgia Mountains, 85 degrees today & low humidity!
Remember the prehistoric creature I mentioned in the title ? Well here it was lurking on the nearby trail... check it out below for yourself.Yikes!!!

Ok, ok so it wasn't a creature, only a stump with some moss, but it did catch our eye. Pretty cool looking huh?
Well I couldn't leave without taking a picture of some flora.

Can anyone identify this flora below I photographed on the trail? It has characteristics of a of hydrangea.
Lots to do in this area only sorry we didn't have more time. Ted and I hope to go back in the fall! Check out the links below for more information if you plan to visit! Now git out there and have some fun!
Tallulah Falls is located on Highway 441 an hour and a half northeast of Atlanta. Well that timeline all depends on the traffic here in Atlanta ya know ;) Take I-985 north which then feeds into 365 north, Highway 23, and Highway 441.
No, not that way silly...
When my friend Sharon Norris owner of Synergy in Silk Floral Designs told me she was going to do a 'Lunch & Learn' seminar about tablescapes I begged asked her if she wanted any help. She was gracious enough to let me help and I was thrilled because I love creating tablescapes!
Well to tell you the truth my friend is always helping me to expand my SOI (sphere of influence) and I'm grateful to her for helping me to expose myself to more potential clients.
The luncheon event was held at the lovely 1818 Club located atop the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce building. After the crowd had their bellies full Sharon introduced me and my business Redesigned Spaces Home Staging and Peggy also a floral designer (friend of ours) and her business, Grandma's Garden.
We picked three fun themes to illustrate how you can make your guests feel extra special as soon as they walk through the door.
Beach Theme ~ You say you don't live near the beach... No worries mate!

We used fancy shells, starfish, succulent plants nestled in pearlized shells, tiny paper umbrellas and mermaids hanging on the rim of the glass for dear life!

Here you can see the sparkly silver mesh netting, colorful plates, napkins, glass pebbles looking like water droplets, votive citronella candles in rustic pots and sand in a metal tub completed the look.
English Garden Theme ~ Perfect for a bridal shower!

Do not let Peggy who looks pretty in pink fool you, she is a little vixen! She said something witty while holding that champagne glass, I laughed and my eyes closed in the photo.
I figured I'd give myself a pretty party hat and shades rather than look like a goof with my eyes shut.
I don't mess with Peg cause she used to be a sheriff in upstate NY and I'm not sure if she still packs heat!

So here we are left to right... Cyn, Peggy, and the lovely Sharon who is the brains of the outfit.
On the table we draped lavender fabric, preserved boxwood w/ purple tulips tied with a satin bows, summer floral design in a basket, garden bust adorned with boxwood and butterflies and small painted garden pots filled w/ dragonflies, humming birds, shrooms and a birds nest.

Close up of the painted pots, used as party favors. The hummingbird design was snapped up before I could get a picture.
A Fun & Festive Tropical Theme, hey now...where did that parrot go?

WOW, Sharon out-did herself on the design, this was absolutely beautiful! The crowd ooh-ed and aah-ed when we were putting this theme together.
With the presentation finished the audience swarmed the tablescapes asking us for all kinds of advice. It's a wonder I was able to snap any pictures because many pieces from the tablescape were purchased before I could take pictures...we weren't expecting that!
It was a big hit! She was asked back on the spot to do another holiday tablescape theme in October. Hummm...maybe she'll let me tag along again.
Sharon designed all the fabulous floral arrangements except for the small painted garden pots in the English Garden theme which she let me contribute.
All our business cards were gone and I was able to meet another stager and Realtor who attended the event. Will business will come from this? Who knows, but a day helping Sharon & hanging with Peggy is a good one in my eyes!
Exposing myself to new potential clients, now this could get addictive!
Hey guess what, Localism works!
I like to read the Localism posts when I know I'll be visiting a particular city.What better way to find out the skinny on the area you want to vist than from someone who lives there then blogs about it?
JL Boney a Realtor in Columbia, SC blogged about a local wine shop named 'Corked' here. I couldn't wait to visit because of his pictures and great description. I already knew it was a favorite of his and his wife. So while my husband and I were in the area it sounded like the ideal place to check out.
It was exactly as I expected from reading JL's blog. I already knew the owner's name (Kevin) when my husband and I walked in and greeted him, so that set a nice tone right away. I couldn't wait to have a glass of wine and check out his specialty beers.
My husband Ted and I sat down and had a glass of 'Layer Cake' Shiraz. Kevin the owner, chatted with us about rasing children, baseball, working in the food & hotel industry (my husband and I once owned a small eatery) to of course, wine!
From someone who has an interest in design let me tell you this place is beautiful from the cool glass pendants to the wood display pieces. It has great ambiance as soon as you walk in.
We left with a pint of handcrafted beer (Train Wreck) and a new wine aerator gadget. It was a great way to start off our evening. Stop and you won't be disappointed!

Corked is located in The Village at Sandhill, 661-3 Promenade Place, Columbia, SC
Thanks JL for writing about this great place. It's now a favorite of ours too!
Cynthia Bartch ~ Redesigned Spaces ~ new design elements for your room
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